Root Canals

A root canal is a procedure where the nerve of the tooth is removed, and then the canals are sealed with a material called gutta-percha.

What happen if I don’t get the root canal after I’ve been told to?

Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form.

What is an abscess?

An abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of the roots of the tooth. An abscess occurs when the infection spreads all the way past the ends of the roots of the tooth. In addition to an abscess, an infection in the root canal of a tooth can cause:

Swelling that may spread to other areas of the face

Bone loss around the tip of the root

Drainage problems extending outward from the rooth

What damages a tooth’s nerve in the First Place?

Nerve and pulp can become irritated, inflamed and infected due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth and/or large fillings, a crack or chip in the tooth, or trauma to the face.